Newsletters

Dear parents and carers

As we head into the final few weeks of this term, I wanted to let you know that Mr Bradley will shortly be retiring from his role as site superintendent. Mr Bradley has worked at Bramhope Primary for 14 years and is affectionately known as Mr B to parents, staff and some of our older pupils.

Throughout his time at Bramhope, Brian has always put the children first. He has often gone ‘over and above’ whether that be giving staff a lift home on snow days or cheering on the finishing line at school sports day.

As you would expect, Brian will be keeping busy during retirement. He has plans to cycle, paint and play his guitar as well as decorate his new house in Harrogate! I am sure you would all like to join me in thanking Brian for his many years of service to the school and wishing him a long and happy retirement. Brian’s last working day will be 17 December.

Years 3/4 Science

In years 3/4 we have been observing and classifying different types of rock as part of our rocks and soils topic in Science.

Mone Bros in Bramhope very kindly donated a variety of different rock samples including the local sandstone from Blackhill Quarry. We have used the rock samples to investigate how durable and permeable the different types of rock are.

The children then used their results to determine which rocks were well suited to a range of different purposes.

All the pupils have really enjoyed getting back to practical science!

Mrs Hurst

Bikeability

This week, Year 6 have been taking part in Bikeability. It’s like cycling proficiency, but better! It’s about gaining practical skills and understanding how to cycle on today’s roads as well as giving everyone the skills and confidence for any kind of cycling.

First, the children learned to control and master their bikes in the playground. They were then taught how to ride on the side roads in Bramhope. This involved recognising typical hazards, passing parked vehicles and using T-junctions.

The Bikeability Team were very impressed by the children’s positive attitudes: well done to all of our Y6s!

Quotes from our cyclists

Naima:

An adventurous experience for all Y6s to enjoy.

Isla:

Bikeability is fun but at the same time you have to be safe. I learned how you indicate and ride on the road.

Zahra:

Bikeability was fun. It taught me lots of things that I didn’t know about cycling. The teachers were strict but funny.

Emma:

Bikeability taught me how to be safe on the road. It was an enjoyable experience and I wish I could do it again.

Jack H:

Bikeability was incredibly fun and helpful. It taught me lots of things about riding my bike on the road. 

Tom:

We got to learn all of the aspects of going on the road and still fun.

Lee:

I liked Level 2 because we got to ride around Bramhope.

Sophie:

Complicated but a great experience!

Toy Like Me Exhibition

On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, children across all key stages attended the ‘Toy Like Me’ exhibition, along with their teachers, in the KS2 Hall.

In groups, they were able to view 12 large image boards to stimulate discussion surrounding disability. These images were of familiar toy prototypes representing a range of disabilities. For example, Barbie with a missing limb, or Olaf the snowman with a cochlear implant. We were so impressed by how well the children listened to each other's views. They showed great maturity and thoughtfulness.

Once they had viewed the ‘Toy Box Tales’ exhibition, KS2 enjoyed completing a fact finding task using the information cards displayed alongside the images. Children in Reception and KS1 completed some colouring sheets of some other toy characters.

Here are some thoughts from your lovely children:

“We think there is a connection to Anti-bullying week; all these characters have something different on their body. It tells us that we shouldn’t bully because someone is different”.

In response to the Lego Superman in a wheelchair: “It’s important to have Lego figures of everybody, not just all the same”.

“If I was in a wheelchair, I would want a Lego figure like me”.

“I liked the exhibition because it educates us about disabled people which is important to me”.

Mrs Yeomans and Mrs Judd (Pastoral Co-ordinators)

Anti Bullying Week

We started National Anti Bullying week with key stage assemblies presented by Mrs Yeomans and Mrs Judd (Pastoral coordinators).

We all wore our odd socks to remind us to celebrate our differences. The children made really thoughtful contributions to those assemblies.

We reinforced what forms bullying can take and what they could do if they thought they or someone else was being bullied. The theme for this year was One Kind Word, and we challenged the children to perform small acts of kindness whenever they could, not just this week but every week.

Please click the link to view the powerpoint presentation on the Pastoral page of the website. 

Xmas for Schools

We have had a total of 123 Christmas card designs returned to school, thank you! 

You should have received an email and/or a text with a link to order your items.

The deadline for orders is 22nd of November. Please remember that for every order placed the school receives £1. There are Christmas cards, blank cards, mugs, calendars and gift labels to choose from.

Feel free to email me at harriet.heald@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk if you have any questions.

Happy ordering!

Mrs Heald

Flu Vaccinations

A reminder that Year 2 pupils will receive their Flu Vaccinations next week, on Wednesday 24 November.

If you require any support or have any questions about any aspects of the vaccinations, please contact the specialist immunisations team on 0333 3583 397 option 2 ext 3 or email Immunisations.Leeds@intrahealth.co.uk.

EYFS Training Day - 25 November

Please note that school will be closed to Reception pupils only on 25 November, for a training day. 

Donations

Reception class are looking for resources to support their outdoor learning provision. 

If parents have any of the following items and would be happy to donate them for use as outdoor resources, we would be very pleased to hear from you. 

• Old saucepans
• Kitchen utensils; wooden spoons, fish slice, ladle, potato masher, big spoon
• Old cutlery
• Picnic set: plastic plates, bowls, mugs
• cake tins: big ones and cup cake tins

Thank you

Wharfedale Refugee Response

Wharfedale refugee response are running the annual reverse advent calendar appeal, asking local households to consider creating a festive box full of vital foods and toiletries for refugees, asylum seekers and others in need in our region. Please read the flyer below to find out more:

Lunches

The Winter Menus are on the school website HERE.

Parents should order (through Scopay) in advance, before 13.00 on Thursdays, each week. Choose M for meat choice and V for vegetarian. This can be done for ad hoc days. If you wish your child to have a packed lunch on some days please choose P for packed lunch.   

Please help us by telling your child what you have ordered for them. A number of children are choosing a different option to what has been pre-ordered. This means that we are running out of certain meals on some days. Thank you

Please contact the office if you need help with using Scopay: admin@bramhopeprimaryschool.co.uk

PTA News

Family table wreath decorating competition – on sale NOW !!

Bring out your competitive side and have some festive fun with your family! We are now selling table wreath making packs which comprise an 8" wreath ring, 4 candles, a starter pack of decorative items and an instruction sheet to assist.  The wreath is for the table (not door), so you will get to enjoy it every meal time!

We will be running a competition for the best decorated wreath - feel free to use garden clippings or go foraging further afield for extra items to decorate your wreath ring.  Once completed, please send a picture of your wreath ring to wreathpta@outlook.com.   

Any interesting location / background will be considered in the judging, and the winners will be selected by Mrs Colbourn. 

Amazon vouchers (which have been donated to the PTA) will be awarded for the top 3 entries – top prize £20, and two runners up prizes of £10 each.

You can purchase a wreath pack for £10 at www.pta-events.co.uk/bpspta/ - packs are now on sale and will be on sale until Monday 29 November.

Wreath packs will be available for collection from Lily's (1 The Parade, Breary Lane) from Wednesday 1 December and the final date to submit photos for the competition is Wednesday 15 December. Winners will be announced on Friday 17 December.

A big thank you to Rachel at Lily's for her continued support with this event. 

All funds raised from Christmas events will be towards our IPad Project...

We are raising money to purchase 7 iPads to assist teachers in each year group.

• In English, ipads are excellent to capture children's drama and replay and analyse with the class. They can be used to create animations based on stories we are reading in class and can also be used to generate children's own books through book creator;

• For marking and feedback, we will be able to use ipads to do live marking in class linked to the smartboard;

• In History and Geography, we can dive into google earth, use QR codes to access quality research;

• In Computing we will use iPads to support animation work and to enable us to better program with the Microbits;

• In Science, they can support recording of key observations for outdoor learning as well as with specific data logging

• In Music, Garage band etc. offers excellent opportunities for generating music/mixing different instruments and rhythms.

Good luck, enjoy decorating, and thanks in advance for your support!

Please look out for our Santa letters and Christmas hampers which will be announced next week!

PTA Team

Have a lovely weekend.